Cebu City contract workers to have SSS coverage

CEBU, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) and the Cebu City government have formalized a partnership that will extend state-backed social protection to thousands of non-regular public sector workers, signaling a broader push to widen coverage among the country’s informal and contractual workforce.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed on Jan. 12, the SSS will enroll at least 3,000 job order and contract of service workers of the Cebu City as self-employed members through its KaSSSangga Collect Program. The city government will implement an automatic salary deduction scheme to ensure the timely remittance of contributions.

According to Eric A. Coronado, acting vice president of SSS Visayas Central 1 Division, said the agreement positions Cebu City as a model for other local governments.

He expressed confidence that similar arrangements will be adopted across the province as authorities move to strengthen social protection for non-regular workers.

Regular and timely contributions, Coronado said, allow members to access benefits covering sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral assistance, as well as loan programs aimed at improving financial resilience.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the initiative addresses long-standing vulnerabilities faced by job order and contract of service employees, particularly during periods of hardship and in retirement.

Archival added that the partnership reflects the city’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its workforce beyond permanent staff.

The agreement marks the first such partnership sealed by the SSS Visayas Central 1 Division in 2026, reinforcing the agency’s mandate to broaden social security coverage and provide more inclusive protection for Filipino workers. — (FREEMAN)